Perfect Payday

Denim Jacket and Jeggings: New Look

Top: Topshop

Brogues: New Look

Belt: New Look

I've been mistaken. I confused believing in myself with trying to change. I've been thinking it's about turning a bad day around to a good one. I've put on those wings, - going mad at myself for not being able to take off.
I've been confusing laughter with crying, - & crying with laughter. I've been thinking I had to be alone. I've put on those wings, - going sad at myself for not wanting them.
I confused myself for someone else. I think I'm starting to remember. I've put on those wings, - but trusting it'll take me a while to fly, 
made all the difference.
Today I remembered. you're out there; all of you. Far from here, but close to me. Close to here, & close to me. You're laughing & you're crying. I forgot I'm not alone. Now I remember. Just breathe. Just believe.

A Girl Can Dream

Shirt: New Look

Shorts: New Look

Scarf: Vintage

Necklace: Roam Jewellery

Rings: Roam/New Look

Jacket: New Look

Boots: New Look

Coming home, early morning; a lot of feelings, wine, tequila, whiskey & cigarettes later.. is another story. Though I still stand by the words of Francis Bacon; "For a crowd is not company, faces are but a gallery of pictures, & talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love." 

"In General, I Don't Find Something Beautiful Unless There Is Something Strange About It, Which Helps Me Appreciate The Beauty In Things I Might Not Otherwise Find Beautiful."

-Charmaine Olivia

All images and rights go to the Charmaine Olivia website: http://www.charmaineolivia.com/

I am absolutely, completely and utterly in love with Charmaine Olivia's work. In her world where bones emerge from shoulders and boats float through waves of hair, it is simply wonderful, surreal and above all magical. Her gorgeously rendered female figures who drip off the canvases with an almost feral sense of authority are both ethereal and captivating. With each project she explores different techniques and subject matter. From Indian ink to oil painting, her arcane dream symbols and archetypes of femininity are brought to life through her own artistic view. Anomalous elements in her work challenge viewers to do a double take. "I get bored if I'm just doing a portrait of someone and it's very plain," she says. "When my girls are too pretty, I want to purposely distort something about them, like add extra eyes or a skeletal shape to make them more interesting."

Charmaine claims her influences stem mainly from her childhood and 'growing up with hippies as parents', however, her dreams, myth and religion also play their parts in her work. She likes to play around with each piece as she goes along, letting her subconscious guide her through the journey, often not knowing why she incorporated parts until later on. 

Though I have tried, there is absolutely no way I can describe her work in full, you simply must check it out yourself.

Take Me Back To That Summer Sun

Work Outfit:

Sheer Shirt: New Look

Black Vest (underneath): New Look

Jeggings: New Look

Shoes: New Look

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Evening Outfit (taking over my brothers room in this pic!):

All Items: New Look

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Both these outifts are from Wednesday, I had work in the day, and then in the evening Char and I went to the pub and then the cinema to see Snow White And The Huntsman. I thought overall the film was quite good :) I then stayed at Char's and we spent the next day watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame, looking at holidays and eating fry ups! :D Then in the evening we went to the pub and had a jolly good time! 

It Is Not What You Look At, It Is What You See

Bodysuit/Treggings/Shoes/Kimono Jacket: All New Look

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Hamsa Ring: Roam

Gold 'Ring': DIY Nut

Slave Bracelet & Other Rings: New Look

Bracelets: Topshop/Accessorize/Present

Today was spent at work early this morning, and this afternoon I went shopping with Melly. I saw loads of nice things I want/need to buy but cannot afford which was a bit depressing, however.. We had a nice catch up and a few good laughs in amongst it all :)

Jumper: Topshop

Earrings & Necklace: New Look

We Aim To Please

Top, Treggings and Brogues: All New Look

Necklace: Vintage

Rings: New Look and Roam

So here are a few snaps of what I wore to work on Thursday. I absolutely love this top, I bought it in the sale last year and I still find myself wearing it loads! The treggings are for me; a great (non see-through) alternative to leggings, and best of all- they have belt loops, button and zip up and DON'T FALL DOWN! :O The necklace is a gorgeous colour, and I love how simple yet effective it is. Another easy to wear, comfy outfit for a day of pleasing the public! 

New Look Shoe Lust

Shoes All From NewLook.com

So here you have it, my top 10 shoe lust haves from New Look at the moment. I currently have a major lack of new shoes in my life and it's becoming a bit of a ticking bomb! When I get paid at the end of the month I think I'm going to have to invest in a few pairs of these :)

001. I have two pairs of sandals at the moment, one of which I swear by (my brown leather ones). So I have decided it would be a wise decision to invest in another similar pair and these just so happen to fit the bill ;)

002. My current couple of pairs of boots are on their last legs to say the least! One is missing part of its sole, the other has decided to sprout holes all over, leaving me without a pair of water-tight boots, or a wearable pair if I'm being honest! And so I came across these; I love the stud and buckle detailing and the fact they come in grey and gold instead of silver (a definite thumbs up!).

003. When I came across these, my jaw dropped! It must be fate, as I've been looking for a pair of brown tapestry boots for about 5 months. All the other pairs I've come across have been ridiculously priced, leaving my eyes watering and my heart torn. And now these bad boys have come into sight and my heart is just about thumping out of my chest :D Definitely investing in these as soon as my wages hit my bank account! Thankyou New Look!

004. I currently own these in light brown, they are so comfy and I wear them at every chance I get! It's like wearing slippers :) Would it be so bad to get another pair in this 'shell pink'? Nah, I'd like to think of it more as a good investment ;)

005. How adorable are these? I only own two pairs of moccasin-type shoes, and the rest of my flats are sandals and brogues, so it's no wonder I'm eyeing these gorgeous loafers up! I love the detailing, the colours (which will go with almost everything!), the shape; all of it! A pair of loafers are most definitely going to be on my shopping list at the end of the month!

006. I saw these ages ago, and every since I've been umm'ing and ahh'ing over them. They're so much nicer in real life, and after weeks of speculation, I have come to the conclusion that they would be a good investment. I love the colours, print and most of all the fact they're wedges! I own about 4/5 pairs of wedges, they're just so damn comfy to wear! My current wedges are boots, and so I've been keeping my eye out for some summery ones, and I think I might just have found them :)

007. What can I say? I'm a sucker for shoe-boots. I love the fact these have a chunky heel, and a little bit of zip detailing. And although the last thing I need in my shoe 'collection', I must argue that they are a staple and you can never have too many staples in you're wardrobe! 

008. As I said, I only own two pairs of flats and they're moccasins. I've been looking around for a pair of black flats that I actually like (it's a lot harder than it sounds, I'm pretty fussy). I've found ones I like and then they've been; uncomfortable, not the right shape, make my feet look too big, have unnecessary detailing that ruins them etc. Okay, I'm very fussy, but now I've found a pair that I actually like, that have just the right amount of detailing, and are just exactly what I've been looking for; YAY!

009. I am pretty sure I let out a little squeal of joy when I saw these! They are utterly gorgeous :D The shape, colours, material, EVERYTHING! I can barely contain my excitement. Definitely investing in these as soon as possible! :D

010. For somebody to doesn't like the colour pink, I have picked out quite a few pink shoes here! I am obviously slowly warming to it (even if it is a very light pink;it's a start). I just love how simple these are, they would go with everything, and I have a feeling I would wear them loads! May have to check out the different block colours for this style :)